The 18-day campaign to end Violence Against Women (VAW), popularized as #VAWfreePH ended last December 12, 2016, yet promotion of women’s right doesn’t end that very day, especially to its service providers like DSWD.
The Protective Service Bureau (PSB) of DSWD Central Office’s staff, along with a Gabriela Party List Resource Speaker Ms. GertrudesLibang, and DSWD Field Office III staff visited Tarlac Home for Women today, December 19, 2016, to further empower its residents–listen to their concerns and stories of change.

Among these women is alias Girly who is allegedly charged of Violation of RA 9165 section 5 docketed at RTC Br. 63 with CC No.832-2011.

Girly grew up with a big family, stricken with poverty. She was the only one among her siblings to reach fourth grade. As early as 11 years old, she was exposed to earning a living. At age 14, she met her live-in partner and begot a child at 15. Life with her partner was then difficult and this prompted them to try engaging themselves to illegal drugs as couriers, to survive without taking account the consequences of their act, until Girly was apprehended while her partner was able to escape, his whereabouts, still, unknown.

Life at the social welfare institution was quiet hard for Girly’s first few months but because of noted determination to transform her past into a dream of having a better future life, she eventually accustomed the center lifestyle and finally considered the center her second home. She became a productive member of her new home and made sure that her stay would be meaningful. Every activity in the center contributed in enhancing her personality.

She voluntarily lent helping hands to the staff. She is highly dependable and counted on her to do responsibilities just like an older sister in a family. She patiently assists in taking care of their hygiene and other self-help skills training. Likewise, she finds time tutoring small children at the resource room for basic reading, writing and counting. She has been very responsible and shows higher level of enthusiasm in everything she engages with. Her commitment to whatever responsibilities assigned to is impressive–she works beyond what is expected of her with innate diligence. She becomes a consistent group leader in the homelife and has proven her capability and potential of being an efficient leader and a role model to other residents.

“My greatest dream is for them to learn to fight, fight for change, change not just within themselves but within the whole society,” said Ms. Libang, Vice Chairman of Gabriela Party List.
According to her, there are already 37 laws for women yet every year, cases on VAW increases. Thus, change must really come. There are social, political, and cultural issues that needed to be dealt with, anchored with this year’s theme “VAW free community starts with me.” ### (Andyleen C. Feje)

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